Mostly ENTJ, sometimes a little INTJ.

Does anyone know what the backstory and current story is with the snack shack at Haskell's Beach?

It seems like a nicely constructed building, reminding me of the old bath/beach house down at East Beach, but in all my visits to Haskells it's been closed.

Is it ever open? Is it a city building or a Bacara one?

Coincidentally, at the moment I decided to post this query, I saw a Haskells article on Noozhawk, regarding the approval of new home construction in the area.

I took these photos earlier in November, during a lunchtime break. Obviously, the weather was strikingly beautiful that day, which is what brought me out to the beach in the first place. Haskells is an underappreciated gem that seems to constantly be in the middle of a quiet and bitter dispute over access rights. At this point, neither side is a Mother Theresa. It's either the Bacara - The Man, resentful, entitled; or the surfers - The Dude, resentful, entitled. Catch my drift?

Perhaps consider this solution: just go there. If you're in Goleta and looking for a nice walk, this is a place to visit. If you like beaches, this is a place to visit. If you like to look at Snowy Plovers, this is a place to visit. If you have your lunch with you, this is a place to visit. Because when more people visit, who aren't are either side of the extreme sense of possession of the spot, the more that sense of resentment is diluted.

There's a great parking area, and the path down to the beach is lined with California native plants. If you start walking back towards Santa Barbara there's a wooded walk area. If you keep on walking you'll eventually get to the Ellwood Bluffs and Coal Oil Point (make sure it's low tide). And if you walk further away from Santa Barbara there's tidepools and the picturesque Haskells Pier.

And there's a picnic bench to sit and eat your lunch, but you'll have to bring it yourself, because that darned snack shack is never open. Again, does anyone know what the deal is with that building?

7 Comments

I've never seen it open. Not sure what the backstory is, but I sent this link to some friends who might know.

Comment by Chooses to remain anonymous on Sun 21st Nov, 2010

Just let me say here that the Bacara Spa and Resort is a blight on our once sacred waters and undeveloped shoreline.
Sadly, the 'vibe' that prevails from Bacara staff / security thugs is so unfriendly, that this area will never be the same.

Thanks for the forwards, folks. I hope this generates more conversation.
Ws1: is there further explanation on the danger sign? I guess it's for wayward golf balls. Bring your helmet or steer clear of the immediate area! :)

The Bacara is a lovely can of the proverbial worms. The county supervisors stymied the project for years, the pro-growth Wile E. Chamberlin sneaks in and approves the project. A vote recount sends Chamberlin packing. The damage was done, the Bacara begins construction. The rainy seasons causes untold millions of damage to the project. Rain swollen wood shrinks and large quantities of tile work, doors, and windows suffer an estimated $41 million in damages. The beach building was likely designed to service hotel clientele with food, drinks, and restroom facilities. The Bacara fought public access all through the design and permit process. When public access was mandated, the hotel put up misleading signs directing the public to parking. When that was straightened out the only public access led to their beach building. They presumably decided not to serve food and drink (don't encourage the riff-raff), but kept the bathrooms open. The warning signs are to warn the public in case the nearby Venoco oil processing facility is going to release toxic hydrogen sulfide gas, explode catastrophically, or some other disaster. Are we better of with the Bacara? There's a lot of strong feelings out there going both ways. My wife is happy to go to a beach with a decent restroom. Me? I wonder when the sand will return, El NiÃ±o stripped it away and it has been not replaced yet.